Learning a foreign language has been proven to be quite the challenge for many people, especially when it involves a whole different alphabetical system and relearning the grammar from scratch. However, these Chinese journalists have no issues speaking in Malay!
Husna (@/husnaliangliang), a Chinese journalist famous for using the Malay language in her videos, recently showcased a few of her peers speaking fluent Malay while eating Nasi Kandar. It’s believed the journalists are in town as part of the press delegate for China’s President Xi Jinping’s state visit and are here to interview Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya.
These Chinese journalists – referred to as Fadil, Rahman, Latifah, Satria and Boss – can be seen having lunch with Husna at a local restaurant. The group appeared to have full plates of food in the usual Malaysian nasi kandar “banjir” fashion. Latifah, who ordered nasi lemak, comments in fluent Bahasa Melayu, “I ordered a nasi lemak and they say it’s best with chicken. I told them that chicken is my favourite”. Husna shared that they decided to dine in a nasi kandar spot to reminisce about their time studying in local universities.
Malaysian netizens have shown clear excitement over the video, with one TikTok user (@/syafi_kahirul) commenting, “So you tell me you are Chinese, eating Indian food and speaking Malay”. Some were also questioning the reason behind the Malay names, to which Husna replies, “We are not Muslims. The names were given to us by our lecturer when we were studying Bahasa Melayu”.
In more ways than one, it’s refreshing to see our overseas friends carrying the beauty of Malaysia’s national language to their everyday lives. These are steps we should take in sharing our cultures especially in a multi-racial nation that promotes peace and prosperity.
Watch the video below:
@husnaliangliang Semuanya bercakap bahasa dan order hidangan Malaysia!😋 Kumpulan wartawan China yang bercakap Bahasa Melayu dah sampai Putrajaya untuk wawancara dengan PM! Kena hati-hati ketika makan, jangan kotorkan suit haha! #cinacakapMelayu #hidanganMalaysia #nasikandar #HusnaLiang #fyp
Source: TikTok
Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
